Govt monitors Covid-19 ‘decoupling’ before deciding on further reopening

 

The government is monitoring the “decoupling” between Covid-19 cases and subsequent hospitalisation and death for the next few weeks before deciding on further reopening of Malaysia’s economy.

Covid-19 ministerial quartet chairperson Hishammuddin Hussein said although Covid-19 cases are now higher than during the Delta wave in August last year, the number of ICU admissions and deaths due to Covid-19 is 80 to 90 percent lower.

“The Health Ministry will continue to monitor this decoupling trend for the next two weeks to see whether it will persist or change, and will take this into account in implementing further reopening in the future,” said Hishammuddin (above) in a statement today.

He reiterated that the government will not reintroduce widespread restrictions as before due to Malaysia’s high Covid-19 vaccination rate and urged people to get their booster doses, especially senior citizens and those with chronic illnesses.

Although it won’t completely stop a Covid-19 infection, it can still reduce the risk of severe illness and death.

“It is important that as many people as possible get vaccinated because we are not truly safe unless everyone is safe,” he said.

For now, he said hospitals still have sufficient intensive care beds and ventilators available, even though there was an increase in its utilisation rate.

Working on border reopening SOPs

As for the reopening of Malaysia’s borders, Hishammuddin said the cabinet has already agreed to do so in early February. There is already a proposed date for the reopening that will be announced by the prime minister.

“Relevant ministries and agencies are preparing details of the protocol including pre-departure and on-arrival procedures. As soon as the protocol is finalised and permission is given, Malaysians can travel to countries that have opened borders with it […]

“Apart from this, another way for people to travel overseas is through the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). The scheme allows movement in and out of Malaysia with countries whose borders remain closed,” he said.

There are currently VTL arrangements with Singapore, while arrangements with Thailand and Brunei are pending implementation.

He said the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Transport Ministry are studying more countries to be added to the VTL scheme.

In his statement, Hishammuddin also emphasised that Malaysia was preparing for a “transition to endemic” phase; only the World Health Organization can declare that Covid-19 has become an endemic disease.

He said while other countries have offered many leniencies in their reopening, Malaysia still prioritises ensuring that its reopening is done safely in line with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call to ensure the transition is done cautiously.

“This means in the coming ‘transition to endemic’ phase, the rakyat will be freer but safety precautions, SOPs and guidelines must still be followed with strict discipline. This includes the wearing of face masks, ensuring physical distancing, and maintaining personal hygiene,” he said.

The statement comes as countries like the US, UK and the United Arab Emirates begin to relax masking requirements. - Mkini